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NFL combine: Top performers

February 25, 2014

Photo: Michael Conroy, Associated Press

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NFL combine: Top performers

The 2014 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis wrapped up on Tuesday, and now it’s time for team executives, national media and online draftniks to start speculating about who won or lost the “Underwear Olympics.” While some performances — like that of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam (above) — disappointed, other players thrilled with their displays of sheer athleticism and skill.

Of the draft’s presumed three top quarterbacks, Central Florida’s Blake Bortles was the only one to participate in the combine’s passing drills. (Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater and Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel will throw at their respective pro days.) Bortles made the most of the opportunity, impressing scouts with his velocity, accuracy and footwork. Given new Houston coach Bill O’Brien’s preference for traditional drop-back quarterbacks — like Tom Brady, his former pupil in New England — the 6-foot-5, 232-pound Bortles made a case to be the first player chosen in May’s draft.

Washington’s Bishop Sankey showed off his strength and agility in Indy following a 1,870-yard season, coming in among the position group’s leaders in the bench press, broad jump, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. That, combined with a more than adequate 4.49-second 40-yard dash time and a good showing in the pass-catching drills, may have assured Sankey a spot in the second round.

Already considered a sure-handed pass-catcher and polished route-runner, Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks posted a 4.33 in the 40, fastest among all receivers. He also set a combine record in the 60-yard shuttle, reaffirming scouts' opinions that he’s one of the most dangerous after-the-catch wideouts in the draft. At 5-foot-10, the 2013 Biletnikoff Award winner lacks ideal size for a No. 1 receiver, but the great all-around workout — combined with his productive career with the Beavers — could have earned him a spot in the draft’s first round.

North Carolina’s Eric Ebron solidified his place as the premier tight end of the 2014 class. After checking in at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Ebron’s 4.6-second 40 time ranked second among all at his position. He sustained a slight injury in the process and didn’t complete the drills, but Ebron may have shown enough to secure himself a spot in the draft’s first 15 spots.

After a standout career for Michigan, Taylor Lewan was considered by many to be the third-best tackle in the draft. Though he put on an absolute show in Indy, he still might be. The 6-foot-7, 309-pound former Wolverine led all O-linemen in the 40-yard dash and broad jump, and was among leaders in the vertical jump and three-cone drill as well. Highly regarded tackles Greg Robinson and Jake Matthews also fared well, so though Lewan is nearly assured a spot in the first 20 picks, he may still be the No. 3 O-lineman off the board.

Top performer: Offensive line
After a standout career for... Photo-5939777.80719 - Connecticut Post

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Top performer: Defensive line

Jadeveon Clowney grabbed headlines with his 4.53 40-yard dash, but Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald may have helped his stock the most. An undersized but highly productive defensive tackle while at Pitt, Donald simply wowed with his workout. The 285-pounder ran a 4.68 40 and racked up 35 reps of the 225-pound bench press. While some still worry he doesn’t have the ideal heft for the next level, others have taken notice and may be wiling to use a first-round pick for his services.

Buffalo hasn’t exactly been a hotspot for NFL prospects, but linebacker Khalil Mack may change that perception a bit. The pass-rush specialist was already considered a potential top-10 pick, but his combine performance may warrant him a spot as the top defensive player chosen. The 6-foot-3, 251-pound Mack combined good speed and elite explosiveness with smooth athleticism, and catapulted himself above UCLA’s Anthony Barr as the draft’s top linebacker. While it’s true that small-school prospects can be downgraded because of relatively weak competition, Mack is already courting interest from teams at the top of the draft.

After picking off 7 passes for Oklahoma State in 2013, Justin Gilbert was considered one of the best of a deep pool of cornerbacks entering the combine. His workout Tuesday did nothing to dissuade that notion. Gilbert posted the fasted 40 time among all corners at 4.37 seconds, while putting up 20 reps at the bench press — proving he’s strong enough to get physical with receivers at the next level. He’s almost certainly a top-15 pick.